Creative Commons License
Smoking Set with Noh Masks
(Japan and Korea )
The Spanish conquests of the Americas introduced tobacco to Europe in the 16th century. Later that century, Spanish or Portuguese merchants introduced tobacco into Japan—it served both a medicinal purpose as well as for recreation, and soon smoking became a very popular habit across all levels of Japanese society.
A traditional Japanese smoking set like this example is both functional and fashionable and includes a pipe (kiseru), a stylish pipe case (kiseruzutsu), and a matching tobacco pouch (tabako-ire). The set is hung from the waist sash and kept in place by an attached netsuke (toggle).
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 1978 | Netsuke: Miniature Sculpture of Japan. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Geographies
Japan (Place of Origin)
Measurements
4 1/8 x 5 1/2 in. (10.48 x 13.97 cm);
case: 8 7/8 in. (22.54 cm) (l.)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
73.81